Research shows that UK housing is still missing the mark when it comes to the national space standard

New research compiled by StoreFirst.com has found that the average size of a new home built in the UK is 4m2 smaller than government guidelines – which is the equivalent of someone taking away your bathroom.

The nationally described space standard is a non-enforced guideline stating that new, three bedroom homes should meet a recommended minimum size of 93m2. Currently, this guideline is not being met.

While the size of newly built homes in the UK has risen by 3m2 to 91m2 since 2011, new homes are still 7.8m2 smaller than the 2003 average. That works out the same as losing an average bathroom or almost enough for a full kitoko apartment!

Although the average space of a UK home is decreasing, the average price for a house is steadily on the rise. The latest figures show that house sellers are currently demanding £289,452 for the average home in England or Wales. That price is almost £20,000 higher than in 2014, which saw house prices sitting at £269,477 at the end of the year.

Housing space also differs depending on which part of the UK you’re analyzing. The average three bedroom property in London is now 25m2 bigger than those built in Yorkshire. This means that on average, each new three bed home in Leeds, Scarborough or York is missing out on the same size space as a double bedroom or a family room.

2015 (October)

Size of Average 3 bed new home (sqm)

Difference against recommended size (93 sqm)

% of recommended minimum

North West

87.3

-5.7

94%

East Midlands

86.9

-6.1

93%

South East

93.9

0.9

101%

Yorkshire & Humber

84

-9

90%

West Midlands

85.7

-7.3

92%

London

108.5

15.5

117%

East of England

93.5

0.5

101%

North East

85.4

-7.6

92%

South West

88.7

-4.3

95%

Total

91

-2

98%

Total Excluding London

88.9

-4.1

95%

Properties in the East and the South East of England are just meeting the nationally described space standard, with average properties coming in at 93.5m2 and 93.9m2 respectively. The smallest house sizes were found in the North East of England and Yorkshire and Humber, with floor spaces in these parts of the country coming in at 85.4m2 and 84m2.

To gain a full picture of the floor space trends occurring in houses across the UK, StoreFirst.com collected research from the Royal Institute of British Architects, financial services firm LV and Rightmove.

Oliver Kitson from Storefirst.com commented: “We can see from this data that not only are house spaces decreasing, but there is also a huge disparity between different parts of the UK. Homeowners are paying more for their homes but getting less space to call their own.

“If the nationally described space standard was to be enforced as a rule rather than a suggestion, prospective buyers and renters would feel secure that they’re getting the right amount of space for the price they’re paying.”